<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY'S BALANCE SHEET AT MARCH 31, 1997 AND
STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997, THAT
ARE CONTAINED IN ITS FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31,
1997. THE SCHEDULE IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          12,819
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   29,064
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                42,953
<PP&E>                                         581,398
<DEPRECIATION>                                 218,900
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 409,906
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           43,632
<BONDS>                                         60,000
<COMMON>                                       148,416
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     104,572
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   409,906
<SALES>                                         46,927
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                46,927
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                25,337
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 325
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 18,255
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,368
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,887
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,887
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.32
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0